AWE - New forensic laboratory hosted on site

AWE, managed and operated by Serco and its joint venture partners Lockheed Martin and Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. on behalf of the MOD has cemented its crucial role in nuclear deterrence by hosting a new, state-of-the art nuclear forensics laboratory, which was officially opened by MP James Brokenshire.

Mr Brokenshire, who is the Home Office Minister for Crime and Security visited the company's Aldermaston site on Tuesday May 22.

The Conventional Forensics Analysis Capability (CFAC) lab has the capability to receive some radiological, nuclear and explosively contaminated evidence, and then analyse the evidence for traditional forensics purposes.

He said: "I am delighted and proud to open the new CFAC laboratory at AWE Aldermaston. The successful delivery of this laboratory is as a result of the strong collaboration between the Home Office, our MOD colleagues and the AWE project team.

This unique, world-class facility plays a major role in how we respond to nuclear and national security threats and sets international standards in incident response. It will make a significant difference to our understanding of forensics, helping us to bring to justice those people involved in terrorism, ensuring we keep our country safe."

The laboratory means we will have a greater technical response capability in helping the Home Office investigate and prosecute terrorist use of an improvised radiological or nuclear device.

We will also have the forensic ability to trace the source of nuclear and radiological materials, by working through their unique chemical and physical 'fingerprints'.